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Tragedy Strikes Penguins As Former Defenseman Passes Away

The extended family of the Pittsburgh Penguins suffered a tragic loss on Saturday with the sudden passing of a former veteran defenseman that older generations of fans remember well.Defenseman Lyle Odelein, who spent part of his NHL career with the…

Published: Saturday, 3 October 2026 at 7:01 PM
Tragedy Strikes Penguins As Former Defenseman Passes Away
Key Things to Know
  • Former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Lyle Odelein has died at age 58 following a reported heart attack.
  • Odelein won the 1993 Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens and became the Columbus Blue Jackets' first captain.
  • He retired with Pittsburgh in 2006, concluding a 1,056-game NHL career with 252 points.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Former NHL defenseman Lyle Odelein has passed away at the age of 58 following a reported heart attack on Friday, October 2, 2026. Odelein played his final NHL season with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2005-06 campaign, appearing in 27 games before retiring due to a knee injury.

Drafted by Montreal in 1986, Odelein won a Stanley Cup with the Canadiens in 1993 and served as the Columbus Blue Jackets' first team captain. Over a 1,056-game career across eight teams, he recorded 252 points and endured a major health crisis in 2018 requiring multiple transplants.

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